Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Homework + Winter Celebration!

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!) with a good book!
- Math packet ("How many ways can you make $1.00?") due Friday

Also, please note that we will be having a "Winter Celebration" in room 303 to celebrate the upcoming holiday break!  There should be good food, fun crafts, and plenty of cheerful 3rd graders!  All are welcome!


Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math packet (due Friday)

Enjoy!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math packet (due Friday)

Today we practiced identifying and comparing different amounts of money (coins and bills < $5.00).  We also created staple food crops that will be the main resource for the civilizations that we are creating in Social Studies.  Tomorrow we will be working on the land and climate that supports our civilizations.  In writing, everyone did a fantastic job of finding facts about animals!  Parents, ask your children what they learned about their animal today.  Some of the animals we are researching include the giant panda, turtles, sharks, tapirs, monkeys, rays, jaguars, dolphins and more!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, December 5, 2011

Weslandia


Here is a video of the story we read in class today!  Enjoy!

Title:  Weslandia
Author:  Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes


- Mr. B

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Fri.)
- Math packet (due Fri.)

Just a note about what we're currently studying in each subject:

Language Arts:  We're working on reading for understanding, putting stories back together in the correct sequence and studying verbs (action words) and their tenses (past, present, future).  We will also be starting individual word study sorts this week in our word study journals.

Writing:  Students are working in pairs, researching and taking notes about a specific animal of their own choosing.  We will be organizing these notes into categories to help structure our writing for the final product, a non-fiction animal book!

Social Studies:  We read the book Weslandia, by Paul Fleischman, today.  This book tells the story of a young boy who decides to create his own civilization for a summer project.  He becomes very involved and creates his own food, clothing, shelter, games, hobbies, products and language - all from a single "staple crop" (useful plant).  In class this week, we will be creating our own civilizations, much like Wesley (the main character of Weslandia) does.

Math:  Our unit on money was introduced today.  Today we shared knowledge about money, identified coins and bills and learned how to write the value of each (e.g., "a half dollar can be written as $0.50 OR 50 cents").  We also practiced adding coins and bills together (making sure to line up the decimal).  Eventually we will be comparing the value of coins and bills in different combinations, subtracting (making change) and figuring out all of the different ways to make a given amount (e.g., "how many different ways can you make 25 cents?").

...more to come!

Have a great day!

- Mr. B

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 min.
- Reading log (due tomorrow)
- Math review (due tomorrow)*
     *Math test (addition/subtraction) tomorrow
- Study S.S. binder for Economics test tomorrow

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes or more!
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math review (due Friday, Test Friday)
- Economics review (due tomorrow, Test Friday)*
     *Parents, today I sent home the answer sheet to the review questions (along with Social Studies binders).  Please use the answer sheet to "quiz" your student and check for understanding.  Thanks!

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Fri.)
- Math review (addition/subtraction test on Fri.)
- Econ review (due Thurs.)
     *We will have a short Economics test on Friday.  A vocabulary list will go home tomorrow.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, November 28, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math review sheet (due Friday)*
     *There will be a computation (addition and subtraction) test this Friday, Dec. 2nd!  Students will be asked to solve and estimate problems using numbers up to the thousands place (four digits).  Parents, it wouldn't hurt to practice a few extra problems each night this week - subtracting with regrouping can still be challenging for some.

We will also be finishing up our study of economics this week.  Keep an eye out for a study guide coming home soon!

- Winter food drive this week!  The 3rd grade is responsible for cans of baked beans, sweet potatoes and spaghetti sauce!

Have a good day!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving Break!

Dear class,

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

You have much to be thankful for...be good, have fun, enjoy your family and come to school ready to learn again!  I hope you find some time to read a good book over the break.

I plan to rest up, see my friends and family and watch the occasional football game.  I might even be able to find some time to try some of my grandma's apple pie (usually I can make that happen)!

For those of you that are traveling this week, please be careful and get back safely!

Thanks for a great start to the school year.

Sincerely,

Mr. B

Let's go Hokies!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)

*Our winter food drive starts next week (Monday, November 28th)!  The 3rd grade is responsible for bringing in cans of baked beans, sweet potatoes and spaghetti sauce.  If you are able, please donate to this wonderful cause.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math:  addition/subtraction packet (due Friday)
- Sign and return report card envelope

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more) with a good book
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math:  Addition/Subtraction packet (Due Friday)
- Sign & return Report Card envelope

Tomorrow we will be "buying" from the book fair as a class.  Please feel free to send in money with your student's wish list tomorrow. 

Here is the Book Fair schedule for the rest of the week:


Tuesday (11/15)  Classes view & Open sales  7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday (11/16)  Classes buy & Open sales  7:30 AM - 4:00 PM* 
     *5:30 - 8:00 PM is Family Night #1
Thursday (11/17)  Classes buy & Open sales  7:30 AM - 4:00 PM**
     **5:30 - 8:00 PM is Family Night #2
Friday (11/18)  Classes buy & Open sales  7:30 AM - 4:00 PM


Enjoy!

- Mr. B

Friday, November 11, 2011

Kid Pan Alley

Tonight there will be an evening performance of our Kid Pan Alley assembly.

If you are interested in coming, please make sure the students are at school 15 minutes before the 7:00 showtime.  I will be in my classroom between 6:30-6:45pm to meet with our performers and get ready for the show.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Mr. B

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Homework + Kid Pan Alley

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Return Square 1 Art order forms*
     *Mrs. Mahanes would like them back as soon as possible.  Please return the form whether you're ordering items or not!

Also, this week has been Kid Pan Alley week!  Kid Pan Alley is a program run by visiting musicians who help introduce song making and writing to each class they see.  Our class has been working together to create lyrics (a chorus and two verses) and record our very own song.  The process is student-driven and the kids have really gotten in to the process.

Tomorrow we will have a rehearsal (practice) followed by a school assembly at 1:30 p.m.  There will also be an after-school performance at 7:00 p.m. for those that are interested!  Visitors are welcome!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Finish Math Word Problems (addition/subtraction) that we started in class.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due tomorrow)
- Math packet (due tomorrow)

Enjoy!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math packet (due Friday)

We learned a new strategy for addition and subtraction today.  It's called "Break it apart!" (expanded form)

523 + 446 = ???

First step is to break the number into pieces based on the place value(s), just like the expanded form of the number.

500 + 20 + 3 + 400 + 40 + 6 = ???

The next step is to add the ones to the ones, tens to the tens and hundreds to the hundreds.  This forms easier addition problems that can be done quickly!

3 + 6 = 9
20 + 40 = 60
500 + 400 = 900

Finally, add up the remaining pieces (900 + 60 + 9) to get your answer (969)!

Tomorrow we will be presenting our science projects related to different terrestrial (land) environments that we have been studying.  Students have been working alone and in groups on projects that include:  comic strips, interview skits (plays) and display posters.  The environments we have been studying are:  the desert, rainforest, temperate forest and grassland/savanna.  Parents, ask your child all about it!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading log (due Friday)
- Math packet (due Friday)

Today we practiced a strategy to solve addition and subtraction problems.  We're calling the strategy "Draw the Blocks!" (representational form).  Students were asked to draw pictures of base 10 blocks to model addition and subtraction problems.  We had good discussion about why it's important to start with the ones place (you may have to go back and change things if you start from the left side) and why counting on your fingers to add numbers only works sometimes (sometimes you run out of fingers!).

Have a great day!  Enjoy the beautiful weather!

- Mr. B 

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes (or more!)
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Due Friday)*
     *We are beginning a unit on addition and subtraction.  This week's homework has two pages of simple (no regrouping) addition and subtraction, along with a place value review.  Keep an eye out for more difficult addition & subtraction practice - we will be working with numbers up to four digits in length.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Sincerely,

Mr. B

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes with a good book
- Sign and return Science Test!  (Food Chains and Animal Adaptations)
- Math Review Packet*
    *There is a typo on the first page of the math homework.  The 4th multiple choice question has no correct answers!  Answer D was supposed to be 4,880.  Feel free to skip the question, or, create your own answer to the problem.

We will be taking our 1st Quarter Math Test tomorrow morning.  Please get plenty of sleep and eat a nice, healthy breakfast before school!

Tomorrow we will have a Fall Party from 1:10 - 2:00 in Room 303.  Parents, please feel free to stop by if your schedule allows for it!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes
- NO READING LOG THIS WEEK (enjoy the break!)
- Math Review Packet*
     *1st Quarter Math Test on Friday (reviews graphing, place value and rounding)

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Monday, October 24, 2011

Homework + Assembly!

This afternoon we were lucky enough to be invited to watch a Virginia Opera Assembly at BES.  A trio of actors/singers/musicians performed The Wizard of Opera, a play incorporating many different styles of Opera into the plot of the Wizard of Oz.  As an audience, I thought we were extremely well-behaved and respectful of our talented guests!  It was a great show - ask your child all about it! 

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book!
- NO READING LOG THIS WEEK (enjoy the break!)
- Math Review Packet*
     *Parents, this week we will be taking a "cumulative" 1st Quarter Math Test.  This means that everything we've studied from the beginning of the year until now is fair game.  So far, we've had units on Graphing (bar graph, picture graph, line plot) and Place Value (reading & writing different number forms up to 999,999; comparing numbers up to 9,999; rounding/estimating numbers to the nearest 10, 100, 1000...up to 9,999).  The review packet is intended to be just that - a review of all that we have covered.

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book
- Reading Log
- Math Packet
- Rounding Quiz Tomorrow!*
     *Parents, I sent home some practice rounding problems today.  Some students finished, some did not.  There were a (very) few problems with decimals included in the numbers (for a challenge, and to expose students to the idea that they exist).  I instructed the class to disregard/cross out the decimals, as we have not studied this yet and the decimals are too small to matter for our purpose - once they did, the problems became solvable again.
- Finish Rounding Review Problems (see above)

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes
- Reading Log (Due Fri.)
- Math Packet (Due Fri.)*
     *We will be having a short rounding quiz on Friday.  Practice problems (rounding to the nearest 10, 100, 1000) will be sent home tomorrow.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a great book
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Due Friday)

Enjoy!

- Mr. B

Monday, October 17, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes with a good book
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Due Friday)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Homework + Leaf T-Shirts!

Hello!

A BIG THANK YOU to our wonderful parent volunteers today!  Our annual Fall Leaf T-Shirts were a huge success despite Mother Nature's best efforts to slow us down.  T-shirts will dry overnight and go home in Ziploc bags tomorrow.  Please wash shirts before wearing them!

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a great book!
- Reading Log (Due tomorrow)
- Math Packet (Due tomorrow)
- Science Review (Due tomorrow)*
     *Tomorrow we will have a test on Food Chains and Animal Adaptations!  I sent home a "words to know" vocabulary list (located in Science/S.S. binder).  We also started making study cards (note cards) with a vocab. word on one side and a picture on the opposite side.  This is not homework, though some students showed interest in taking the cards home to make more.

Stay dry!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book.
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Due Friday)
- Science Review (Due Friday)

 
REMINDER:  Tomorrow we will be making our leaf-print t-shirts!  Please remember to send in a t-shirt (dark color, 100% cotton) if you have not already done so.  We have found a place outside that is safe from the rain, so we're all set for tomorrow.  Thanks for your support!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book!
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Due Friday)
- Science Review (Due Friday)*
     *We will be having a Food Chains and Adaptations Test in Science on Friday, November 14th.  There is a lot of vocabulary for this unit (see below) and we have been working hard to use and understand these words each day.  Students will be expected to draw and label a complete food chain (beginning with the sun's energy and ending with a decomposer that starts the cycle over again).  The list below will go home (along with Science binders) tomorrow.

Food Chains and Adaptations:  Words to Know
consumer - a living thing that eats other living things (does not make own food)
producer - a living thing that makes its own food
decomposer - a living thing that helps break down dead plants and animals
herbivore - an animal that eats only plants
carnivore - an animal that eats only meat
omnivore - an animal that eats both plants and meat
predator - an animal that hunts other animals for food
prey - an animal that is hunted by other animals for food
aquatic - water
terrestrial - land
adaptation - a special characteristic (physical or behavioral) that helps an animal survive
camouflage - blending in with the surroundings in order to survive
hibernation - sleeping during the winter
mimicry - looking, sounding or tasting like another animal in order to survive
migration - traveling to another place in order to survive (for better weather, food, water, etc.)
instinct - something that is known from birth (e.g., a spider knows how to spin a web, sea turtles know where to crawl to get to the ocean, etc.)
learned behavior - something that must be taught/learned after birth (e.g., a mother wolf teaching her pups how to hunt, a school teacher showing students how to multiply numbers, etc.)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes
- Reading Log
- Math:  Place Value Story (packet)

- Extra Credit:  Leaf Bug!

Tomorrow we will have a quiz on place value (up to the hundred thousands place) and comparing numbers (greater than, less than, equal to).  There will be no rounding problems on the quiz.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book (Reading Log Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Place Value Story, etc.) Due Friday

- EXTRA CREDIT (optional):  Leaf Bug (Make-a-Camouflage HW)
     *This is an optional assignment that I handed out to interested students today.  The goal is to take a leaf from outside and turn it into a camouflaged bug!  Be creative & have fun!  We'll share our leaf bug designs on Friday.

 
- Please remember to bring in leaves and cotton t-shirts for our upcoming Fall Leaf T-Shirt designs!  We will be making them Thursday, October 13th (weather permitting).  If it's too much trouble to bring in the t-shirt by this Friday, don't worry, as long as we have it by the 13th!

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math:  Place Value Packet (Due Friday)
     *There will be a Math Quiz on Friday on Place Value (up to the hundred thousands place) and Comparing Numbers (>, <, =).

Please sign and return Maps & Globes test if you haven't done so.

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Monday, October 3, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book!
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math:  Place Value Packet (Due Friday)
- Please sign & return the Maps & Globes test if you haven't already.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Friday, September 30, 2011

Homework over the weekend?

Hello!

This weekend's homework:

Parents and Students,
Please sign and return the Maps and Globes Test*
     *Students, you may correct any incorrect answers for 1/2 credit!

Thanks & have a great weekend!

- Mr. B

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes
- Reading Log
- Science Picture Vocabulary
- Math Packet

Good luck!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Science Picture Vocabulary (Due Friday)
- Math Packet (Due Friday)

Camouflage
Mimicry

Today we learned and discussed the concepts of camouflage, mimicry, hibernation and migration in Science class.  We looked at pictures and watched videos to help jump-start the discussion.  Ask your child all about it!

Migration
Hibernation

We also had our best writing class of the YEAR today.  After listening to the story Fortunately, by Remy Charlip, the students agreed that if they moved their desks apart they would be able to concentrate more on their own work.  We tried it out today with much success.

Have a great day!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a great book!
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Science:  Picture Vocabulary (Due Friday)*
     *We went over this in class today - students know to draw pictures that match the words/definitions.
- Math:  "Ways to Write a Number" Packet (Due Friday)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, September 26, 2011

Digital Resources

Dear class,

Here are some educational (and fun) websites that may be useful to you!  Parents, just as I do here at school, you may wish to preview the sources before allowing your children to use them.  For example, some BrainPOP videos or Tumblebooks may be more suitable for older students.  The purpose of this list is to give you some resources to use at home.  Enjoy!

My Portaportal  (http://guest.portaportal.com/jbalnave)

A collection of links organized by subject.  Please let me know if you have a favorite educational site that is not listed!  I'd be happy to add it so all can enjoy.

Spelling City  (http://www.spellingcity.com/jbalnave/)

I will be posting word study sorts here.  Spelling City has lots of fun games that are useful for building spelling and vocabulary skills.  Check it out!

Tumblebooks  (http://jmrl.org/pr-kids.htm)*
     *Click on the blue banner at the top right side of your screen (this will log you in)

A collection of children's books (read aloud) that we sometimes watch during snack.  

BrainPOP  (http://www.brainpop.com/)**
     **user name:  brownsville08     password:  acps     (this subscription works during the daytime hours only...there may be times when you are not able to log on)

A large variety of short videos and associated resources - organized by subject!  Great for science and social studies topics.

- Mr. B

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book!
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math:  Ways to Write a Number (Due Friday)
- Science:  Picture Vocab. (Due Friday)*


Herbivore
Decomposer
    

*Students are asked to draw a picture (please use color) that shows the science vocabulary word in question.  Example:  For the herbivore section, I might draw a cow eating grass (since cows are animals that mainly eat plants).  For the decomposers section, I might draw mushrooms forming on a dead leaf (since mushrooms help break down decaying plants/animals).

Parents, please be aware that the Reading Log, Science and Math are all stapled together this week!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Friday, September 23, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 minutes with a good book
- Reading Log Due Tomorrow
- Math:  Place Value Packet Due Tomorrow

We have started a new unit in Science this week (Food Chains and Animal Adaptations).  Students have been learning about food chains as well as producers, consumers and decomposers.  We are practicing our research skills by becoming experts on different animal species (e.g., Opalescent Squid, Golden Tamarin, European Red Squirrel, Cape Porcupine, etc.).  Ask your child to tell you all about it!

Have fun!

- Mr. B



P.S. Here's a fun food chain game to play at home!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes with a great book!
- Reading Log (Due Friday)
- Math:  Place Value Packet "What Is the Number?" (Due Friday)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, September 19, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Social Studies:  Maps & Globes Test Tomorrow* (9/20/11)
      *Look over Geography Study Guide, Complete "What Is a Map?"
- Read 20 minutes with a good book (Reading Log Due Friday)
- Math:  Place Value Packet (Due Friday)


Geography Vocabulary Words To Know

- continent (be able to locate all seven on a map)
- ocean (be able to locate the four major oceans on a map)
- hemisphere (half of a sphere/globe)
- equator (imaginary line running east/west that divides the Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres)
- prime meridian (imaginary line running north/south that divides the Earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres)
- regions (areas of land that have common characteristics)
- maps (used to find places)
- grids (lines that we use to identify the exact location of a place)
- coordinates (Examples:  "(B, 4); (D, 2); (A, 3)")
- cardinal directions (N, E, S, W; "Never Eat Shredded Wheat", "Never Eat Soggy Waffles", etc.)
- intermediate directions (NE, SE, NW, SW)
- compass rose (shows directions)
- legend/key (contains map symbols)
- symbols (used to show information on a map)

Good luck!  Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20 min.
- Reading Log (due tomorrow)
- Math Place Value Packet (due tomorrow)

- Maps & Globes Study Guide*
     *We will have a test on Tuesday of next week.  It might be a good idea to quiz your child on the continents and oceans this week.  Tomorrow we will be covering more of the map skills (legend, coordinates, etc.).

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read for 20 minutes with a good book
- Complete Math Packet (place value activities) by Friday

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, September 12, 2011

Testing...Testing...2011-2012 School Year!

Hello class!

Welcome to our blog for the 2011-2012 school year.

My name is Mr. Balnave and I am charged with teaching the students located in room 303 at Brownsville Elementary School.  My hope is that this blog will be a useful tool for students, parents and friends of our class.  I will be posting homework assignments and sharing some of the fun projects we do here in 3rd grade.

Thanks for visiting.  We'll be in touch!

Sincerely,

Mr. B

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Bring in library/classroom books from home

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Field Day + Homework

Thank you to all of the parent volunteers who helped make today's Field Day a success!  We had lots of water games and fun activities this afternoon and it looked like everyone went home tired and content after a fun day in the sun.

Tonight's homework:
- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Look for (and bring in) any books that belong to the school (library books, etc.)
- Take pictures for your "How to..." book

Have fun!  Get some rest!

- Mr. B

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Look for any library/classroom books you might have at home
- Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- NO WORD STUDY

Today we started a few projects.  Here's a quick rundown:

- Language Arts:  We started work on our final triorama project (design/build a scene from the book).  Students will be selecting their favorite book from 3rd grade - a book they read in class, a book they read in the library or at home, or even a book that was used for read aloud.  We will be writing about and presenting these projects sometime next week.

- Writing:  We brainstormed and planned steps for our "How to..." books.  Each student is an expert on something (e.g., ride a dirt bike, throw a football, make a necklace, catch a crawfish, etc.).  We will be writing detailed steps for each task working on using transition words like "first, next, then, after that, finally".  Students will also be taking photographs (in class or at home - expect a note explaining this tomorrow) as illustrations for their books.

SS/Math:  Coming soon!

We also studied "plastic" (pros/cons, how it's made, what it's used for, etc.) and learned about family origins (thanks Carter!).

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Take home Social Studies binder and study for the test tomorrow!

Tomorrow is our final SOL test - we will be taking our 3rd grade Social Studies SOL in the morning.  Please get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast!  Here is a "practice quiz" for those that are interested.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Homework + Field Trip!

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Prepare for our field trip to Monticello!
     *Please wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.  We will spend a good portion of our day walking around outside.  The tour is held rain or shine!  Please also remember to bring a packed lunch and snack from home.


Here is the official website for Monticello.

Here is the weather forecast for Shadwell, VA.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, May 23, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 min.
- Social Studies:  Read & highlight packet ("Why is Government Necessary?")
- Math:  Finish review packet*
     *if most of the packet is blank - just answer 3 questions from each page (side) to make sure you review each section.

Reminder:  Tomorrow is our Math SOL test.  Sleep well & eat a healthy breakfast!  Here is a "practice test" for those that are interested.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Eat well, sleep well!

Have fun!  Tomorrow we'll continue our Reading SOL test.  

- Mr. B

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book!
- Reading Comprehension (Indian Paintbrush Flower)
- Math:  Practice Mad Minute

Reminder:  Tomorrow (and Friday) we will be taking our Reading SOL test!  Please make sure to get plenty of sleep and eat a nice breakfast in the morning!  Here is another "practice quiz" for those that are interested.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- NO WORD STUDY
- Reading comprehension worksheet (cause/effect)
- Social Studies review packet:  Due Tomorrow (5/18)*
     *you may look for the answers in your SS binder if you need help!

Nice job on the Science SOL test this morning!  One down, one more to go for this week!  The Reading SOL test will be given Thursday and Friday of this week.  Here is a reading "practice quiz" for those that are interested.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, May 16, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- NO WORD STUDY!
- Social Studies:  Review Packet Due Wednesday 5/18!!
- Math:  Review Packet

Tomorrow is our Science SOL test!  Please get plenty of sleep & eat a nice breakfast in the morning!

For those that are interested, here's a 20 question "practice quiz"

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Friday, May 13, 2011

Homework over the weekend?

This weekend's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes each night
- Social Studies review packet:  Due Wednesday, May 18th

Have a great weekend!

- Mr. B

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:
- Read 20-30 min.**
- Word Study:  Practice quiz
- Reading Passage:  "That will teach you bear!"
- Math review packet

**To lighten the load, work on the reading passage can/should count towards the 20-30 min.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item (Homophones)
- Science Review Packet is due tomorrow!  We will check it in class.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Friday, May 6, 2011

Homework over the weekend?

Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes each night
- Science review packet:  Due Wednesday, May 11th

Have a great weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

- Mr. B

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Reading Comprehension worksheet (Toucan/Sloth)
- Word Study:  Practice Quiz
- Math:  Practice Multiplication facts!!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a great book!
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Science:  Energy quiz tomorrow!  Study the energy pages in your science binder.

*Please remember to bring in soil if you have not done so, tomorrow we will be using the soil/bottles in class.

Also, we are working on answering multiplication facts with speed and accuracy.  We have been doing weekly (Friday) Mad Minutes (90 seconds to answer as many facts as you can).  We will be changing this to bi-weekly Mad Minutes starting this week (Wednesday/Friday).  Please find time to practice simple, 0-12 multiplication facts at home, in the car, etc.  It will pay off in the long run!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, May 2, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Cut, Sort & Copy
- Science:  Finish the Wind Energy (fill-in-the-blank) section of your science packet
- Bring in soil if you haven't yet!  (ziplock bag of dirt + empty plastic bottle w/ cap)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Friday, April 29, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Bring in soil (ziplock bag) and/or any clear plastic bottles (w/ lids).
- Have a great weekend!!

- Mr. B

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Christopher Columbus/Robin Hood worksheet (read and answer questions)
- Math:  Multiplication practice* (Mad Minute tomorrow!)
             *Students can time themselves to see how long it takes to finish - then check to see how many answers were correct OR students can try to see how many correct answers they can get in a given amount of time (e.g., 90 seconds).

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- George Washington/Ben Franklin worksheet (read and answer the questions)
- Math:  Temperature worksheet (from Mrs. Gibson's rotation)

No word study at all this week.  Our morning schedule hasn't been consistent enough to introduce sorts.  Next week it is!

- Mr. B

Monday, April 25, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Math:  Measurement (mass/weight) worksheet "The Winner!/Todd's Tools"
- NO WORD STUDY TONIGHT (new sorts will begin tomorrow)

Enjoy the beautiful weather!

- Mr. B

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Homework + Literacy Night

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Enjoy the nice weather

Optional:
- Finish working on your Cat Story

Tonight is Literacy Night at Brownsville Elementary School.  Parents and students are invited to stop by from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a used book sale and to see some of the things we've been working on in Language Arts.

Students will be sharing their writing and some of their favorite books.

- Mr. B

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Math:  Daily Math Practice (whole week)*
              *This is review for the practice S.O.L. test that we will be taking tomorrow morning.

Optional:

- Work on your Cat Story at home, please bring it back!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Math:  Finish perimeter/area packet (Due tomorrow)

Recommended:

- Spend some time thinking about your Cat Story.  Take it home and brainstorm or add to your rough draft.  We will work on them more tomorrow so please remember to bring it back if you take it home!
- Share what you learned about thunderstorms with somebody at home.


Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 min.
- Word Study:  Practice Quiz
- No Math or Science...rest up!

Our goal is to finish and present the simple machines projects tomorrow!  Teams have been working very hard this week & the machines look very promising!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Math:  Finish Fractions/Decimals Packet

Fractions/Decimals Test is tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/30)!!

Identify fractions/decimals
Compare (>, <, =) fractions/decimals (with a model)
Add & Subtract fractions/decimals
Mixed numbers (whole numbers with fractions) will be covered

Fractions tested through twelfths (halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, etc.)
Decimals tested through hundredths (tenths and hundredths)

For practice, we have been using a free 30 day trial to www.ixl.com (math practice website).
This site can be used at home as well (as long as the trial is in effect).

Log-in info: 

Username: firstnamelastinitial349 (eg:  jeffb349)  
Password:  firstnamelastinitial (eg:  jeffb)

- Mr. B

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item (Quiz will be on Thursday, March 31st)
- Math:  Tenths/Hundredths worksheet

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes

That's it!!!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Cut, sort & copy (Quiz NEXT Friday)

Reminders:

- TOMORROW (Wednesday, 3/23) is our field trip to the Frontier Culture Museum.  Please dress for the weather and bring a bag lunch!

- We are still accepting materials for the simple machines project!  Clean out your garages, we'll make good use of whatever it is that you don't need!

- Mr. B

Monday, March 21, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- NO WORD STUDY HOMEWORK TONIGHT (it will resume tomorrow)
- (Optional) Bring in materials for simple machines project (Optional)
- Bring in signed field trip form (if you haven't already)
- Math:  Fractions worksheet (front/back)

Enjoy!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Math:  Fractions worksheet front & back (Practice 10/Practice 11)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Homework + 3rd Grade Performance

REMINDER:  Our performance is tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Music room!  Please meet at our classroom by 5:40 p.m. dressed in your performance t-shirt and ready to go!  Our class (and the 3rd grade as a whole) has worked very hard practicing for today.  This afternoon's show went well.  One more show to go!

Tonight's homework:
- Read 20-30 minutes
- Study your Explorers packet:  We will have a short quiz tomorrow.

No Word Study homework this week!
No Math homework tonight!  (performance)

- Mr. B

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Math:  Fractions practice (identifying and drawing equal parts)

Have fun!

Just a reminder:  the 3rd grade performance is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15th.  There will be a show during school and after school (that evening).  Please practice your lines at home!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a great book
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Math:  Finish Fractions worksheet (started in class)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, March 7, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book!
- Word Study:  Cut, sort & copy into WS journal.

Current focus:

- Language Arts:  Biographies
- Writing:  Fiction stories
- Social Studies:  European Explorers (J. Cartier, C. Columbus, J. P. de Leon, C. Newport)
- Read Aloud:  The BFG by Roald Dahl
- Math:  Fractions (while continuing the Multiplication Challenge - memorizing multiplication facts)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

(Top:  Jacques Cartier; Bottom:  Map of Columbus' voyages)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Practice Quiz
- Math:  Finish word problems we started in class.  Remember the different strategies we used to solve problems:  Draw a picture, draw a number line, repeated addition, skip counting, know the fact, break it apart (expanded form), etc.

Multiplication and Division Test tomorrow!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Math:  Finish multiplication/division practice (front and back).
     *We will have a test on multiplication and division this Friday, March 4th.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item (try a new one!)
- Math:  Finish the "multiplication or division" worksheet

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, February 28, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Social Studies:  Finish the Draw/Label Early Explorers activity we started in class*
     *We read a book that talked about many different groups of people who may have discovered "The New World" (North & South America) before Christopher Columbus and other European explorers.  The assignment is to draw a picture and write a caption about three different groups of people the book mentioned.
- Math:  Finish the 2 digit x 1 digit multiplication worksheet we started in class

NO WORD STUDY HOMEWORK TONIGHT!  We will start our normal routine tomorrow with a menu item (same sort).

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book!
- Word Study:  Menu Item (no quiz tomorrow)
- Social Studies:  Finish/study the Mali Study Guide, Test/Quiz tomorrow.
- Math:  Solve the problem 43 x 8 using your brain!  You must show your work.



Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Social Studies: Mali Study Guide (DUE FRIDAY)
- Math:  Equalities worksheet

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Cut, Sort & Copy (in journal)
- Social Studies:  Mali Mysteries
- Math:  The only homework is to practice your multiplication facts at home.  We will be starting the multiplication challenge soon!

Have a great day!

- Mr. B

Friday, February 18, 2011

Have a great weekend!

Dear class,

I hope you have a great weekend!  Please find time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Also, Happy Presidents' Day (in advance)!  We celebrate Presidents' Day on the third Monday in February due to the following:

George Washington's birthday:  February 22
Abraham Lincoln's birthday:  February 12


Your only homework is to spend time with a good book this weekend.  I look forward to seeing everyone again on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Mr. Balnave

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item

That's it!  I will be away from the classroom tomorrow due to a "teacher conference".  I look forward to seeing everyone again on Thursday!

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, February 14, 2011

Homework

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Cut, sort and copy
- Math:  Product Finder worksheet (do your best!)
     *I've asked students to do their best to fill out the product finder (multiplication chart - see example below).  11s and 12s are a "bonus challenge", please do not spend all night on this assignment!  I told the class that if you spend more than 15 minutes filling this out then it's fine to use a calculator to fill in the remaining boxes.



Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Practice Quiz
- Valentine's Day Mailbox (Please bring by Monday, 2/14)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Social Studies:  Greece/Rome Test tomorrow!  Please look over your Greece/Rome packets to review.
- Valentine Mailbox Project*
     *Note went home today.  Please bring in boxes by Monday, February 14th.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Social Studies:  Study** the Greece/Rome comparison page from our Rome packet (Venn Diagram)
     **Greece/Rome Test this Thursday (2/10/11)
- Math:  Multiplication worksheet (front/back)
     Students have been learning different strategies to solve multiplication problems in class.  So far, we have the following strategies:
     - Draw a picture
     - Repeated Addition
     - Skip Count  (multiplication songs, 9s finger trick)
     - Draw an array
     - Know the fact

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, February 7, 2011

Word Study Sorts

Here you go:










- Mr. B

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Cut, Sort & Copy (new sorts to be posted tonight)
- Writing:  Finish adjective worksheet (front/back)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 min.
- Word Study:  Practice Quiz!
- Social Studies:  Complete the Patrician/Plebeian Compare sheet from your Rome packet
- Math:  Finish Multiplication by 7s and 8s worksheet

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Homework

Hello!

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  A different menu item.  That means if you look at the menu, choose an activity that you haven't tried yet.  If you feel that you have tried all of the options that fit your sort, please re-do an activity (e.g., Draw & Label, Dictionary Look-up) using different words than you used the first time.
- Math:  Finish Multiplication by 9s (started in class) and 5s/6s worksheet.  Remember, if you get stuck, you have the answers on the Hop, Skip, and Jump page attached to the 9s!

Multiplication Songs
2s  This Old Man
3s  Jingle Bells
4s  London Bridge
5s  (N/A)
6s  Camptown Races
7s  Oh My Darling
8s  Take Me Out to the Ball Game
9s  (Finger Trick) 

REMINDER:  TOMORROW IS TOGA DAY!!


Have fun!

- Mr. B

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Word Study Sorts

Here are the word study sorts for this upcoming week (same as last week):











- Mr. B

Friday, January 28, 2011

Homework over the weekend?

Hello!

Normally there is absolutely no homework given over the weekend aside from enjoying a good book.  However, due to the snow day I feel that we're a little bit behind.  Students were given time to start a word study packet that will count for this week's quiz grade.  Please finish this packet for homework (due Monday) in addition to your normal reading routine.  Thank you for understanding.  We will keep our same sorts for next week.

Have a great weekend!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Cut, Sort & Copy (into WS journal)
- Math:  "Peggy's Pets" worksheet

Word Study sorts will be posted this evening when I get home.

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Monday, January 24, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Math:  "Wheels, Apples & Days" worksheet
     *students are asked to solve basic multiplication problems using their own preferred strategy (skip counting, drawing a picture, repeated addition, knowing the fact, etc.)
- Social Studies:  Read and Color any three (3) pages from the new Rome packet

NO WORD STUDY HOMEWORK TONIGHT:  Sorts will go home tomorrow

Parents, please make sure to check your child's Monday Folder for important information regarding our class and the Brownsville community.

Current Focus (by subject):

- Language Arts:  We are working on distinguishing between "fat" and "skinny" questions (skinny questions are yes/no or easily answerable) related to new book group books.  We are also enjoying our study of Folk Literature which encompasses Fairy Tales, Fables, Pourquoi Tales, Trickster Tales, Myths and Legends. 

- Writing:  We are working on developing fictional stories - students recently came up with "What if..." stories that tapped into their impressive imaginations.

- Social Studies:  Continuing Ancient Greece and Rome.  Toga Day on February 2nd.

- Math:  Just starting multiplication - We have been working on finding equal "groups of" things to help introduce the concept.  Most of our focus has been on using pictures, skip counting and repeated addition to solve problems.

Thanks for reading!

- Mr. B

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Math:  Things that come in groups
     *Students are asked to think of items that can be found in groups of 2-12.  We brainstormed things that come in groups of 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, and 10s today in class.

Example:
Things that come in groups of 3
- sides on a triangle
- wheels on a tricycle
- tennis balls in a container
- periods in a hockey game
- etc.

Things that come in groups of 4
- quarters in a dollar
- quadruplets
- legs on a dog
- wheels on a car
- etc.


- Extra Credit:  Greek Class Roster (due tomorrow!)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- NO WORD STUDY HOMEWORK (short week)
- Science:  Finish the review packet we started in class and quiz somebody at home (parent, brother/sister, etc.)
   
The directions I gave were to ask 8-10 questions related to our science vocabulary.
   
Example:

Student:  "What's another word for sleeping during the winter?"
Mom:  "Hm...hibernation?"
Student:  "Correct!  Nice job, mom!"
Student:  "Okay, Dad, your turn.  What's the major source of energy for all living things?"
Dad:  "The sun?"
Student:  "Wow, you guys are good!"

My hope is that your child becomes more confident with the vocabulary words by teaching them to somebody else.  Thanks for taking the time to do this.

- **Extra Credit** (Due Friday, 1/21):  Translate the Greek version of our class roster back into English 
      "Greek" class rosters were passed out to each student today.  In order to complete this assignment just write down the correct spelling (English) next to each name on the list.  I provided a "key" (list of the Greek alphabet in capital/lowercase letters) attached to each roster that may be helpful.  The font I used is not an exact letter-by-letter conversion due to the fact that the Greek alphabet (see below) contains only 24 letters, or two letters less than our 26 letter alphabet.



Have fun!

- Mr. B

Friday, January 14, 2011

Have a great weekend!

Dear class,

I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing 4-day weekend!  Thanks to all of the students for giving your very best during a challenging week of review and midyear testing.  Your efforts do not go unnoticed.

Please spend time with your nose buried in a good book.  Your only homework is to read each day and recharge so that you're ready for school on Wednesday, January 19th.

We will be continuing our studies of Ancient Greece and Rome in Social Studies.  In Math we will be starting a new unit on Multiplication - a parent information packet will be sent home via "Monday (Wednesday?) Folders" next week.

Best wishes,

Mr. Balnave

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Math:  Place Value Packet (review)

- Mr. B

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Math:  Rounding Review
- Language Arts:  Finish Packet

Please remember to get plenty of sleep & eat a healthy breakfast in the morning!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Math:  "Monster Math" worksheet (addition & subtraction review)
- Social Studies:  Finish the "Ancient Greece Picture Vocabulary" we started in class today (draw and label activity in the Greece packet).


Also, our Reading Midyear Test has been changed from Wednesday & Thursday (this week) to just Thursday (this week).  In other words, there will be no test tomorrow.

Stay warm!

- Mr. B

Monday, January 10, 2011

Homework

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- NO WORD STUDY THIS WEEK
- Math:  Time worksheet, Time & Money Quiz tomorrow!
- Social Studies:  Geography Not-A-Test (Review)

This week we will begin taking Midyear Tests in the four core subject areas (Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies).  These tests are cumulative up to this point, meaning they will cover material from the beginning of the school year.  Please don't worry about "studying" for these tests, we will be reviewing some in school and homework will reflect this.  The tests are helpful for me as a teacher since they show which subjects/units I may have taught well and which subjects I may need to revisit before the end of the year.  Our schedule is below:

Reading - Wednesday & Thursday of this week (1/12, 1/13)
Math - Friday of this week (1/14)
Science - Thursday of next week (1/20)
Social Studies - Thursday of this week (1/13)

This week we will be substituting review activities for Word Study homework.  Parents, the best thing you can do to help your child is to make sure they get enough sleep at night and that they have a nutritious breakfast in the morning before school.  Thanks for all of your help!

- Mr. B

Friday, January 7, 2011

Homework

The only homework over the weekend (per usual) is to read 20-30 minutes each night.  I do want to let parents know that there will be a short quiz on Time & Money next Tuesday, January 11th.

The quiz will cover:
- Adding up dollars/coins
- Identifying dollars/coins 
- Making change
- Reading time (analog) to the nearest minute
- Matching digital/analog times
- Days of the week (Calendar)
- Minutes in an hour, months in a year

Have a great weekend!

- Mr. B

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Practice Quiz
- Social Studies:  Read & Color 3 (more) pages from the Ancient Greece Packet
- Math:  Finish Time worksheet (I'll scan the page when I get home)

Have fun!

- Mr. B

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Homework

Tonight's Homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes
- Word Study:  Menu Item
- Social Studies:  Read and Color any three (3) pages from your Ancient Greece packet.

Example:  I might choose the page on the Trireme (boat), the page on Weaving and the page on Masks.  For each page, I read the paragraph at the bottom and then spend a reasonable amount of time (< 5 minutes) coloring the picture.  The picture does not have to have every space colored in, it's meant to be fun, not torture!

Enjoy!

- Mr. B

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Word Study Sorts

 Here you go:



- Mr. B

Homework

Happy New Year!!

Tonight's homework:

- Read 20-30 minutes with a good book
- Word Study:  Menu Item (sorts will be posted this afternoon)
- Math Worksheet:  "It's About Time"


We are beginning units on Ancient Greece & Rome (Social Studies) and Time (Math).  Feel free to ask your children what they've been learning about related to these new topics!  Today we looked at the physical geography of Greece using Google Earth and practiced telling time to the minute (also learning the terms "half past" and "quarter past"; e.g., "half past 4 = 4:30").

Have fun!

- Mr. B